Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 1092

‘Not bad.’

Moyong Gun’s assessment was honest.

‘They’re sharp. Even in their excitement, their senses aren’t dulled. I doubt a surprise attack would work on them.’

‘Is that so?’

Muk Bi’s eyes sparkled.

‘Then, are you confident you can win against them?’

‘I am.’

The answer was filled with clear confidence.

‘They are well-trained warriors, but I don’t think I can’t defeat them.’

‘You know that there are many variables in a fight, Lord Moyong.’

‘I’m saying that while taking that into account. Unless they have a way to trap me, I don’t think I’ll lose in a one-on-one duel.’

It wasn’t confidence stemming from a hatred of opposing forces.

Moyong Gun’s eyes were cold. The actual outcome would only be known after a fight, but it seemed he believed that with this much of a difference in their opposing forces, he could somehow win.

Muk Bi nodded.

‘I understand.’

It was impossible to know how well she could actually fight.

However, she was confident enough to challenge even Gi Cheon-Woong. Compared to Gi Cheon-Woong, she was clearly inferior, but even if they were opposing forces, she wouldn’t have dared to act so boldly if she wasn’t confident in her martial arts.

Muk Bi, who had come with Moyong Gun to the front of Gang Ryang and the Jeyeongsa [Elite military unit], spoke.

‘We have fully assessed the enemy’s strength. Lord Moyong?’

Moyong Gun said,

‘I’ll take on their leader. He’s an opponent I can definitely beat in a one-on-one fight. The problem is the rest of their experts.’

Gang Ryang asked,

‘How many experts should we be wary of?’

‘Six in total.’

‘Six?’

‘The strongest among them seems to be a red-haired woman, who didn’t seem much weaker than Muk Bi here.’

Gang Ryang’s eyes flashed.

The strongest of the current Five Great Generals was undoubtedly Muk Bi. It wasn’t just her martial arts style, but her actual level of mastery was a step higher.

If there was someone among the enemy’s lieutenants who was not much weaker than Muk Bi, the chances of him losing were high, excluding the variables of the fight.

‘The enemy’s forces number five thousand. Their overall level is lower than the Ice Palace’s elite who entered the continent, but their numbers are too great. In terms of pure strength, they have the advantage.’

Muk Bi continued,

‘Furthermore, they are moving in a bizarre formation called the Solar Archipelago. I don’t know about when they’re moving, but if we engage in a major battle on the plains, there’s a risk they’ll use tactics that defy common sense.’

The faces of the Jeyeongsa hardened.

The representative of the Jeyeongsa, Han Bi, said,

‘Then, we must fight them on this hill.’

‘Half right.’

Muk Bi pointed to the path they had come from below the hill.

‘The Jeyeongsa’s small cannons and Bone-Crushing Spider Web are great weapons. The problem is that once they’re fired, there’s no going back.’

Of course, that alone was enough.

They had rushed here to secure a decisive victory in the initial battle. However, it was difficult to manage gunpowder and cannonballs on the long journey, so they had only brought one each to minimize moisture.

Even though it was just one, all one thousand soldiers had one, so a thousand cannons would be fired. They didn’t have the destructive power of a real giant cannon, but if a single shot landed properly, even a master could lose their life. Even a supreme master would be in danger if they didn’t defend properly.

In other words, it was a deadly weapon that could kill anyone if it hit. And if the Bone-Crushing Spider Web was fired, a transparent iron net spanning two yards would spread out, trapping the enemy.

That invisible iron net was mixed with specially made iron sand, which would tear flesh and penetrate bone as they struggled.

‘The problem is after the firing.’

Muk Bi looked at Han Bi.

‘Commander, please explain the Jeyeongsa’s tactics after the firing again.’

Han Bi smiled and said,

‘We can’t fight with small cannons. After all one thousand soldiers fire, three hundred reserve personnel will take over our cannons and fall back as a support unit. The remaining seven hundred Jeyeongsa will engage the enemy.’

‘Good.’

Muk Bi raised her index finger.

‘The enemy will start moving before dawn tomorrow. According to Lord Moyong’s eavesdropping, they plan to enter Beijing within six days with a rapid march, so they won’t use scouts until they cross this hill at least.’

Gang Ryang’s eyes deepened.

‘What if they do?’

‘Then we’ll assassinate all the scouts. Of course, they’ll know something’s wrong and send more scouts, but we’ll eliminate them all too.’

Her words showed strong confidence.

Gang Ryang had reinterpreted the Ghost King Sword into a domineering sword style that suited him, but the Ghost King Energy itself was of the Yin type [Dark, passive energy], so he could kill enemies like an assassin if he wanted to.

Moreover, Muk Bi’s archery boasted tremendous range and penetration. No one would be safe if they were ambushed.

‘If the scouts don’t return, the commanders will finally move out. If a lieutenant comes, we’ll take care of them too. But it’s unlikely that the lieutenants will come directly.’

‘The commander will come.’

‘That’s right. That’s highly likely.’

Muk Bi looked at Moyong Gun.

‘When that happens, Lord Moyong must step forward and eliminate the enemy commander in the shortest time possible.’

‘Alright.’

‘If you capture the scouts and then eliminate the enemy commander, the fight will be much easier from then on.’

It was the most difficult yet ideal scenario.

However, Muk Bi didn’t think the enemy would send scouts.

Their current location was much closer than the distance where Yeon Ho-Jeong, Moyong Gun, and Gi Cheon-Woong had camped when they went scouting. Moreover, there were only six days left, and even if there was an ambush unit, a master who had reached the peak of martial arts would be able to break through if they charged at the front.

‘Based on the judgment that scouts won’t come, I will issue the operation orders.’

Muk Bi’s plan was simple yet extremely efficient.

Her tactics were simple because of the Jeyeongsa’s characteristics. They were skilled in concealment and surprise attacks. Moreover, they had the geographical advantage and even brought small cannons that were shorter than a person.

In this situation, simple and fast tactics were better than complex ones.

‘However, if the enemy’s offensive is stronger than expected after the first firing, we will immediately descend the hill and run to the plains. By then, a significant number of the enemy’s forces will have died, so we will use hit-and-run tactics.’

Muk Bi’s eyes flashed.

‘There may be quite a few casualties on our side. You must be prepared for that.’

Han Bi pounded his chest with his fist.

‘We all came here prepared to die. You don’t need to doubt the Jeyeong’s loyalty, General.’

‘Good.’

Muk Bi took out the Red Lotus Bow.

‘Line up in silence, then conceal and cover. From this moment on, the operation has begun.’

The next day at dawn.

Whoosh.

A solemn aura rose from the lined-up Shinwha [Divine Fire] followers.

They were lined up by unit, not in the Solar Archipelago formation. This was also a spectacle.

Geukpae’s heart was pounding.

‘Finally.’

Finally, the charge.

He opened his mouth.

‘Listen, children of the Fire God.’

His voice, which spread clearly, was loud enough to reach the top of the high hill.

‘Those impudent non-believers of the Southern Continent have not only insulted our god, but also killed our brothers and are laughing in the pleasure of victory.’

The eyes of the five thousand followers flashed with murderous intent.

They didn’t know how the enemies had insulted their god. But that one word made the followers’ murderous intent and madness soar to their heads.

‘The number of our brothers who died at their hands is easily in the hundreds. They fought bravely and died, so they must have gone to the side of the Fire God. There is no reason to grieve for those who left this world with dignity.’

‘…….’

‘But we also have a duty to do like those who went before us! That is to trample on those impudent non-believers and enlighten them! The first step is always, as it has always been, purification!’

Flames flared!

Subtle golden flames rose from Geukpae’s body.

It was the Golden Emperor Purification Art. The supreme divine art that the Shinwha Order boasted was being unleashed on its own, following his excited heart.

‘I won’t say any more! Within six days, let’s enter the Southern Continent’s imperial city and burn all the leaders of the non-believers!’

Waaaaaah!!

The five thousand followers’ hot shouts exploded as if to scorch the heavens and the earth.

The cold wind of Liaoning and the high hill in the distance all seemed to be burning. Their morale had reached its peak, and their eyes were all filled with a mad sense of purpose.

Geukpae grinned.

‘All followers, advance!’

The moment the order was given, the followers lined up under the command of the five lieutenants advanced.

Their advance was quite fast.

It wasn’t the advance of ordinary infantry. They were all using a moderate speed of movement, and the distance of each step was consistent, as if they had been properly trained.

Geukpae ran at the front.

He couldn’t help it. He couldn’t calm down this bursting excitement. Likewise, the followers who were all fired up would need him, their leader, to lead them directly.

‘Fire King.’

As it was an empty position, So Hagu’s tone and voice were full of caution.

‘Speak.’

‘It’s not the time to say this, but shouldn’t we have sent scouts?’

Geukpae smiled.

‘Do you not trust my senses?’

‘Of course, it’s not that. I’m just preparing for the worst.’

‘We’ll do that at the next rest. Even two days ago, there was no one in front of us. If they didn’t get caught by my senses, it means that there are truly no one who can stop us.’

So Hagu smiled.

‘Yes!’

Thus, when the five thousand followers of the Shinwha Order’s Red Fire Command, all the soldiers from the first to the fifth level, reached the middle of the hill.

‘……?!’

Geukpae’s eyes twitched as he moved with the unit members, who were concentrated with powerful firepower and a huge military aura.

‘What is it?’

An unknown anxiety crept in.

Surprisingly, that anxiety was similar to the feeling that had bothered him briefly last night.

The more he ran, the more the anxiety grew, and soon it came as a tangible pressure.

Geukpae’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Geukpae, who had rushed forward and stopped his movement, turned around and shouted.

‘All troops, de……!’

That was the moment.

Whoosh!

As if an invisible wind was coming down the hill.

A streak of white light came down the hill at an incredible speed and reached Geukpae’s nose in an instant.

Geukpae, terrified, instinctively swung his fist.

Bang!

Moyong Gun, who had deflected his fist, kicked So Hagu and grabbed Geukpae by the collar.

Kwaang!

Moyong Gun, who had kicked off the ground, flew into the sky with Geukpae.

At that moment, Muk Bi, who had appeared on the hill, fired an iron dart at So Hagu.

Pyoowooong!

So Hagu felt a chill down her spine.

The moment she raised her head after rolling on the ground from Moyong Gun’s attack, Muk Bi’s arrow was already right in front of her.

Thwack!

So Hagu’s head flew off.

Muk Bi shouted,

‘Jeyeongsa!’

‘First line, advance! Second line, load!’

The widely spread Jeyeongsa jumped up the hill at an incredible speed and took their positions. There were one hundred of them.

Han Bi shouted,

‘Fire!’

Kwa kwa kwang!